"I met with Gary in October to discuss adding a granite cap to my outdoor fire pit. The original fire pit stone and mortar had deteriorated. Gary was able to work with a stone quarry and have them create a round sold granite cap to go over the existing stone. The granite was delivered and placed on top of the pit today as he had to drive a truck across my lawn and we wanted to be sure the ground was frozen. He will return in the spring to finish the work by applying mortar under the granite and he will also do some stone wall repair at that time. While this project has been long and slow, Gary always quickly responded to my text and phone messages. The cost was more than I would like, but material costs are very high everywhere right now. I will definitely work with Gary again."
"Lenny and Nick went above my expectations! I told them what I wanted, Nick sketched out a plan, and it was perfect! My basement is absolutely beautiful! They were reliable, prompt, and told me everything that was going on! I would highly recommend this company for any remodel! Bravo guys!"
"Our chimney needed to be raised and brought up to current code, and the solution was handled the right way from start to finish. The chimney was lifted to the proper height and securely strapped to meet structural and safety requirements. Everything was measured, reinforced, and stabilized so it’s not just compliant, but solid moving forward. The work was well planned, clearly explained, and executed with attention to both function and appearance. It’s reassuring knowing the chimney now meets code and is properly supported."
"I had them do a cleaning and inspection of my chimney and they found damages to the brickwork and the top of the chimney. They installed a new cap and their cost was so reasonable. All their work is guaranteed as well, which is reassuring. They were clean, efficient and courteous. I would highly recommend Handy Andy and in fact they are doing an estimate for my neighbor to whom I recommended them to."
"They did an excellent job and I continue to use them. They are very knowledgeable and they were very responsive with solutions. We would highly recommend them to anyone."
"The process was seamless and quick. Everyone involved in the project was helpful and friendly. It was done in one afternoon and our roof looks great!"
Cutting stone comes with a number of safety hazards. First and foremost, if you’re not comfortable with the equipment required to cut stone, including blades and grinders, you could easily injure yourself. The heavy machinery also poses a risk to your ears if you don’t wear proper ear protection; similarly, you need to wear eye protection to keep debris from irritating your eyes.
However, the biggest risk from cutting stone comes from the stone dust. When breathed in, stone dust can be a huge hazard to your lungs. Always wear a face mask when cutting stone to prevent inhaling stone dust, and thoroughly clean the work area when you are finished.
To avoid injury, we recommend hiring a stone-cutting professional, rather than attempting this job yourself.
Spalling brick is not uncommon, but it does indicate a serious issue. It can be caused by water damage, an intense freeze-thaw cycle, or something else. Painted bricks can be susceptible to spalling, as the paint doesn’t allow the porous material of the brick to breathe, which can trap moisture. Spalling should always be addressed immediately before more serious structural damage occurs.
A mason lays brick or stone together, sometimes with mortar in between the bricks and stones, and sometimes without mortar, also called a dry-stack or surface bonding. Examples of work masons do include:
Brick, stone, or cement block houses and buildings
Drilling into brick doesn’t have to be a dangerous project if you prep and approach it with the right tools and techniques, but it does come with risks if it’s not done correctly. It can lead to significant issues, such as damaging the brick or affecting the wall’s structural integrity. Applying too much force can crack or chip the brick, while incorrect placement might compromise its load-bearing strength.
A well-made brick wall can last up to 100 years if maintained properly, which includes regularly repairing the mortar every 30 to 50 years. If your brick wall is under 30 years old and is already showing signs of repair, it may be due to poor brickwork and installation. Extreme weather conditions can also accelerate a brick wall’s life span (especially the exterior of a house).
The Effingham, NH homeowners’ guide to masonry services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Need to repoint brick in your home to make your home look fresh and new? Use this guide to repointing brick cost to price out your project before starting.
Door or window lintel replacement costs $400 on average, but there are ways you can save. On the other hand, complicated work will increase costs considerably.
When it comes to masonry versus concrete, it can be easy to confuse the two. Use this guide to learn about the differences in appearance, strength, and more.
Discover the wide variety of masonry materials for your next home upgrade project. Our guide covers the different types of materials to choose from and more.
